Do you ever get the feeling that life has turned into a rather spiteful competition? No matter what the subject, it seems that we’re always being asked to pick sides. Whether it’s people, politics or products, everything is presented as a choice between mutually exclusive options. This modern zeitgeist has even found its way into the world of hair restoration treatments. Media coverage of these tends to feature combative headlines that suggest there is only one ‘magic bullet’ for hair loss and everything else is wrong.
This article is going to take a more balanced approach. We’re going to suggest that, far from competing with each other, the various hair treatments often work well together. Read on to discover more!
The Options
The treatments for hair loss or thinning can be grouped into three main categories. These are a course of nutritional supplements, medication, or a formal hair restoration procedure.
Nutritional supplements are the right option if your hair loss is caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Judged by sales, the most popular supplements are for Vitamin C, biotin, selenium, zinc, iron and niacin. The truth is, however, that these supplements won’t work for hair loss unless you have a nutritional deficiency in the first place. And nutritional deficiency is not that common. Normally, you get all the vitamins and minerals you need from your food, but a doctor can determine if you have a problem with a few blood tests.
Medications and medical treatments can be the cause of some types of hair loss, chemotherapy being a prime example. However, medications can also act to stop hair loss and encourage regrowth. Perhaps the best known is Minoxidil, a non-prescription medicine that comes in various forms. The product takes about six months before any effect can be seen, but it can slow down hair loss and stimulate new growth. Side effects are rare, but one thing to know is that once you start using Minoxidil, you have to keep taking it; if you stop, your hair loss is likely to return.
It’s the same with Finasteride, another popular medication for men experiencing hair loss. It’s taken in oral form and, like Minoxidil, may take a few months to start having any effect. While side effects of this powerful drug are rare, it may increase the risk of certain conditions; check with your doctor before you embark on a course.
Formal hair procedures are what most people think of when the topic of hair restoration is mentioned. The list includes hair transplants, micro scalp pigmentation (MSP), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesotherapy, laser caps and a host of others.
Hair transplant surgery is undoubtedly the flagship treatment. If you’re a suitable candidate, it can provide a permanent solution to your hair loss problem. Besides replacing your balding areas with thick, natural strands, hair transplants have been shown to raise an individual’s self-esteem and self-confidence. The surgery involved is minimally invasive, so there is little downtime involved. Clients are free to go about their normal activities within a short time, with just one or two minor adjustments.
Mix ‘n’ Match
The three main categories of hair restoration are not in competition, nor are they mutually exclusive. So, while the procedures mentioned above function well as standalone options, they also combine well when needed.
People who get a hair transplant, for example, often follow up with a course of MSP to give the impression of density in areas of the scalp not covered by grafted hair follicles. Mesotherapy is also used to complement a hair transplant; it helps the grafted follicles ‘bed down’ and reduces the risk of transplant failure. PRP and laser cap therapy are both used to promote scalp healing following transplant surgery.
All these procedures are also frequently used with medications or supplements. Most hair experts see the value in using all the tools at their disposal in the battle against hair loss. They don’t see hair treatment as a competition between products and procedures, despite what some article writers say.
Conclusion
At Vinci Hair Clinic, we offer the widest selection of hair treatments and procedures. That’s because we know that when it comes to tackling hair loss, one size doesn’t fit all. Individuals have different needs, and we pride ourselves on being able to provide a range of options that treat each one most effectively. That’s why when you come to us, you won’t be forced in the direction of any particular treatment or procedure.
Our hair specialists will diagnose the problem and discuss the options with you. We offer all our new clients a free, no-obligation consultation. This can be done in person at one of our many clinics or by phone using photographs on WhatsApp. All you have to do is get in touch and make an appointment!
